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GA SB1

GA SB1
'Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities Act'; enact

summary

Introduced
01/13/2025
In Committee
03/25/2025
Crossed Over
02/06/2025
Passed
04/07/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
04/28/2025

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT To amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, so as to enact the "Riley Gaines Act of 2025"; to provide generally for competitively fair and safe student participation in school and college sports; to provide for legislative findings and intent; to promote fair and safe competition; to provide for equal athletic opportunities and safety; to provide for specific designations of teams operated or sponsored by local school systems, public schools, participating private schools, and postsecondary educational institutions in this state; to prohibit males from participating in interscholastic and intercollegiate competitions on teams designated as female; to prohibit females from participating in competition on intercollegiate teams designated as male, subject to exceptions; to provide for such exceptions; to provide for interscholastic coed team designations; to provide for the use of student eligibility rules, standards, and classifications; to provide for exceptions to general provisions; to require multiple occupancy restrooms and changing areas and sleeping quarters to be designated for exclusive use by males or females; to provide for reasonable accommodations; to provide for exceptions; to prohibit postsecondary educational institutions that are covered entities from hosting or sponsoring intercollegiate competitions that allow males to participate with teams designated as female or use multiple occupancy restrooms or changing areas and sleeping quarters designated for use by females; to prohibit such covered entities from awarding to males scholarships intended for female team members; to provide for policies, rules, and regulations; to provide for investigation of complaints of noncompliance; to provide for sanctions; to provide for a cause of action; to provide for definitions; to provide for statutory construction; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

AI Summary

This bill, known as the "Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities Act" or the "Riley Gaines Act of 2025," aims to establish clear guidelines for athletic participation based on biological sex in Georgia's schools and colleges. The legislation requires that athletic teams in local school systems, public schools, and postsecondary institutions be designated as male, female, or coed, with males prohibited from participating in female-designated teams and vice versa. The bill mandates that multiple occupancy facilities like restrooms, changing areas, and sleeping quarters be designated exclusively for males or females to ensure privacy and safety. It provides for reasonable accommodations for individuals uncomfortable using sex-specific facilities while preventing access to facilities designated for the opposite sex. The bill also allows for potential legal action by students who are deprived of athletic opportunities or subjected to retaliation for reporting violations, with provisions for monetary damages and legal fees. Additionally, the legislation introduces potential sanctions for covered entities that do not comply, including the possibility of withholding state funding. The bill emphasizes protecting competitive fairness in sports and ensuring equal athletic opportunities, with specific definitions of sex based on biological reproductive capabilities and a focus on maintaining distinct athletic categories to preserve fair competition.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (31)

Last Action

Effective Date 2025-07-01 (on 04/28/2025)

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